Doughnut machine



July 1940- A. s. T. LAGAARD DOUGHNU'I MACHINE '7 Sheets-Shut 1 Filed Nov. 6, 1939 "I6 46 QI'WQ/YVM Alexander SIT! Laaard.

July 1940- A. s; T. LAGAARD 2,207,591

DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Jul s', 1940.

A. s. T. LAGAARD DOUGHNU'I MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Qlexauder $.T. l agzgaard.

y 9, 1940- A. s. 1". LAGAARD 2,207,591

DOUGHNUT MACHINE 84 9 Alexander swam-c1 July 9, 1940. A. s. T. LAGAARD 2,207,591

DOUGHNU'I' MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, I959 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Alexander S.'[. Lagaarcl y 1940- A. s. T. LAGAARD 2,207,591

DOUGHNU'I' MACHINE 168 87 Alexander $.T. Laaard '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 A. S. T. LAGAARD DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed NOV. 6, 1939 July 9; 1940.

avvuc/wbom Qlexander $.T. Laaarcl v 1 2,17 2 5 I m 'IIIIIIIIIII,

ww zmww Patented July 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE DOUGHNUT MACHINE Alexander S. T. Lagaard, Minneapolis, Minn., as-

signor to Dough-King, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application November 6, 1939, Serial No. 302,945

14 Claims.

My invention relates to doughnut machines and has for an object to provide a doughnut ation.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a channel by means of the flow of the cooking liquid and in which the number of doughnuts passing through the machine is positively and accurately controlled to control the degree of cooking of the doughnuts.

An object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine utilizing a control device for controlling the travel of doughnuts through the doughnut machine, which device includes a grid structure movable from one position in the path of travel of the doughnuts to another and back to its original position to-allow the doughnuts to escape one at a time.

Another object of the invention resides in providing an operating mechanism for operating said control device.

' A still further object of the invention resides in operating the doughnut former and ejector of the invention from the same operating mechanism.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the operating mechanism so that the capacity of the machine may be manually varied at will.

A feature of the invention resides in the specific construction whereby the capacity of the machine may be varied.

the cams.

A feature of the invention resides in providing means for simultaneously varying the operation of both of the cams.

Other objects of the invention reside in the F novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and /or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a doughnut machine line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 parts in altered position.

larger scale. showing the Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a still greaterscale than Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an elevational sectional view taken on" line. 6-6 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a greater scale.

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional View taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 6 and drawn to a still greater scale.

Fig. 8 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a greater scale.

Fig. 9 is'a plan sectional View taken on line li -9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan sectional view taken on line ill-l0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan sectional View taken on line H-Il of Fig. 8. i

Fig. 12 is an elevational sectional view taken on line lZ-IZ of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is an elevational sectional view'taken on line !3I3 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 is an elevatio-nal sectional view taken on line M-M of Fig. 9.

In the drawings I have shown a doughnut'ma-' chine A which consists of a case lllconstructed with end walls H and I2 and side walls l3 and I4 connected therewith. The case includes uprights I 5 at the corners of the same which extend throughout the height of the case and to which the various walls are attached. The walls are" preferably constructed of sheet metal and are 'di-' rectly secured to the uprights l5. The case Ill further includes upper and lower frames ll which are channel shaped in cross section and which extend perimetrically about the case and hold the various uprights P5 in position. The walls of the case are also attached to these frames.

Within the case In is disposed a cooking kettle I8 which is preferably of cast metal and which is constructed with a bottom l9 and with vertical walls 2| extending therefrom. The vertical walls are connected at their upper ends with upper walls 22 and the various walls and bottom are so arranged as to forma channel 23 which extends throughout the major portion of the kettle and which provides a way along which the doughnuts" may travel. The kettle l8 has one corner of the. same removed, as designated at 24, leaving a main portion. 25 of the width of the case 10 and of a length equal to about two-thirds of the length of the same. This construction provides, an extension'Zii to the kettle which extends up to the end wall I2. The kettle I0 is constructed with a ledge 27 extending about the margin of the same which terminates in a lip 28 projecting upwardly from the extreme edge thereof. A guard 29 on the case 18 issues upwardly from the walls thereof and overlies the lip 28, thereby protecting the same and at the same time being spaced therefrom to retard transmission of heat from the kettle to the case. This guard is attached to the upper frame [1. The kettle i8 is supported on the frame ll through supporting blocks El which are situated at spaced intervals throughout the length of the kettle and which rest directly upon the said frame.

The channel 23 is arranged to provide a straight run 32 which starts in close proximity to wall It and follows along wall 83. Channel 23 at the end of run 32 makes a curve 33 which leads into another straight run 3 following along the wall H. At the end of this run the channel has another curve 35 which leads into still another straight run 36 which follows along the wall Hi. At the end of the run 36 the channel is constructed with a loop 37 which is connected to another straight run 38. The run 38 terminates in a curve 39 which, in turn, is connected to a short straight run 4| parallel with the run EM and closely positioned relative thereto. This run is connected to a curve 42 which, in turn, is connected to a straight run 43 parallel with the run 32 and disposed in close proximity thereto. The run as discharges into a reservoir 34 which is merely an enlargement of the said run. From this reservoir a short run 45 is provided which is connected by a curve 45 with the end of the run 32.

The major portion 25, of kettle I8, is enclosed by means of a hood ll. This hood utilizes the uprights l5 at the end wall H and two other uprights 58 which are attached to the case H3 at the locality of the end of the major portion 25 of the kettle formed by the corner M. Between the various uprights are provided glass panels 49 which are slidably supported in guides 5i whereby the said panels may be removed. The

hood 3'! includes a top by means of which the major portion 25 of kettle i8 is enclosed and which has not been shown in the drawings.

In the reservoir 44 is provided a vertical tubular duct 52 which communicates at its lower end with the bottom of the reservoir Ml. In this duct is disposed a propeller or elevator 53 which is mounted on the armature shaft of a motor 5 3.

The duct 52 communicates at its upper end with the run 55 of the channel 23, thus discharging the cooking liquid from the reservoir M and into the run 45 of the channel, from which it fiows throughout the course of the channel and is returned into the reservoir M.

Situated at the beginning of the run 32 of channel 23 is a doughnut former 55 which comprises a receptacle 56 for dough and a cutter 51 connected therewith. Such construction being well known in the art will not be described in detail in this application. The cutter 51 includes a'fianged sleeve 58 which severs dough extrusions from the mass contained in the receptacle lit.

7' This sleeve is reciprocated in a vertical direction by means of a forked arm 59 which is mounted on a rock shaft 6 I. Rock shaft ill is journalled at one end in a bearing 82 and at its other end in a manner to be presently more fully described. The forked arm 59 swings freely on the shaft 5! but may be locked in relation thereto by means of clutch 60 constructed as follows: Rigidly secured to the shaft 6! is an arm 63. This arm has a retractable pin 64 which may engage the forked arm 59 and cause the arm 63 and arm 59 to travel in unison. Air pressure is provided in the upper portion of the receptacle 55 which forces the dough downwardly through the cutter and as the sleeve 58 is reciprocated, annular dough extrusions are deposited in the cooking liquid in the beginning of the run 32 of channel 23.

In the run 36 of channel 23 is arranged a twisted tubular turner 65. This turner inverts the doughnuts after the same have been cooked apredetermined time so that the doughnuts may be cooked equally on both sides. Such construction being well known in the art will not be described in detail in this application. It is to be noted, however, that the turner 65 inclines in the direction of flow of the cooking liquid so that the bottom IQ of the kettle [8 at the run M is considerably lower than at the run 3A.

In the run $3 of channel 23 is disposed an ejector 65 for removing the cooked doughnuts from the cooking liquid. This ejector comprises a shaft 61 which is constantly driven in a mannerto be presently described in detail. This shaft has mounted on it, oppositely extending cranks 68 and 69. Sets of toothed blades H and i2 are mounted on the said cranks and are adapted to be alternately raised and lowered and also moved in a longitudinal direction, as the shaft 67 rotates. The lower ends of these blades slide upon an inclined rest 13 which is mounted on the bottom l9 of kettle 18 in the portion of the run 43 leading from the curve 42. It will readily be comprehended that, as the doughnuts reach the said blades the doughnuts are elevated and progressed upwardly and outwardly of the kettle Hi. The ejector 66 is disposed within a trough l4 constructed with two side plates and I6 and a bottom I! connected therewith. The

said trough extends outwardly beyond the wall [2 of the case ill and directs the doughnuts out of the machine.

For controlling the rate of travel of the doughnuts along the channel 23, two control devices I Ch I8 and I9 are employed. These control devices operate to allow the doughnuts, one at a time, to enter the turner 65 and the ejector 66, whereby the degree of cooking of the doughnuts on both sides may be controlled. e

The control device 18 is shown in detail in Figs. 2,3, 4 and 5 and consists of two grids 8i and 82 hingedly connected together at their upper ends and slidable along the lower ends along the bottom is of the kettle. Both of these grids consist of a number of wire tines 83 which are connected together at their lower ends by means of cross bars 84. The upper ends of these tines are constructed with eyes 85 through which a' spindle 86 extends. By means of these eyes the two grids 8i and 82 are pivotally mounted on the spindle 86 and may swing relative to one another. Spacing washers 8'? on the spindle 86 between the various eyes 35 of the grids 8| and 32 hold the tines B3 of said grids in proper spaced relation 1 the runs 3 3 and 4| thereof, which is indicated by the reference numeral 93, is provided a recess 94. A casting 95 extends across this recess and is provided with a flange 96 projecting outwardly therefrom. This flange has two screws 9'? extending through the Same which are threaded 'tached to it on one side thereof a. disc I02.

into the wall structure" 93 and's'upport the casting 95 in position. The casting 95 has attached to it a depending plate 90 which projects downwardly into the recess 94. 'Rigidly secured to the plate 98 is a stud 99 which has rotatably mounted on it a spur gear IOI. Spur gear'IUI has at-' The spindle 86 is constructed atone end with a counter-sunhhead I03 which is seated within a suitable socket in a disc I02 so that the said spindle projects outwardly from'the disc. The said spindle is threaded adjacent the head I03 to receive a nut I04 which holds the spindle in fixed relation relative to said disc. It will thus be seen that the spindle 86 may be moved through an arc of a circle by rota-tingthe disc I02 and during such rotation the bars 84 ride upon the bottom I9 of kettle I8, while the two grids 8! and 82 move in unison forming an obtuse angle when the spindle 86 is at the bottom of its path of movement and forming a more acute angle when in its uppermost positions.

The normal position of the disc I02 is shown in Fig. 2 where the elevation of the cooking liquid is designated by the line I05. The spindle 86 is positioned in proximity to this elevation so that the doughnuts will engage the upstanding portion 9I of the grid 8 when the doughnuts travel in the direction of the arrow shown in this figure. In Fig. 2 a doughnut indicated in dotted lines at I06 isillustrated as engaging the upstanding portion 9I ofgrid 8| while the adjacent doughnut, indicated at I0'I, is urged against the doughnut I06. When the control device I8 is operated the disc I02 moves in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2 at a very rapid rate of speed until the eyes 85 of the grids BI and 02 strike the under side of the doughnut I06 before the same has had an opportunity to travel an appreciable distance.

This raises the doughnut up as shown in Fig. 3,

and as the control device continues to travel slowly to its normal position the doughnut slides finally when the control device reaches its normal position the doughnut I0! then occupies, the position shown in Fig. 2 for the doughnut I00. Thus as the device operates one doughnut at a time is released.

The mechanism for operating the control de- I vice is constructed as follows: Attached to the casting 95 and also to the plate 98 is a stud I08. This stud has rotatably mounted on it a gear I09 which meshes with the gear IOI. Gear I09 meshes with another gear I I l which is secured to the end of a shaft II2 by means of a pin Il3. Shaft H2 is journalled in a bearing II4 formed on the casting 95 and extends rearwardly of the machine. The various gears carried by the casting 95 are enclosed by means of a cover I I which is secured to said casting by means of screws I I6. The cover II5 has a depending flange I I! which extends along the front of the casting 95 to form a case for enclosing the said gears. This flange is formed with an arcuate cut-away portion. H8 at its lowermost edge which receives the disc I02. Similarly the wall structure 93 of the kettle I8 is constructed with a similar cut-away portion I I9 which further receives the disc I02. By means of this construction the disc I02 is flush with the,

inner surface of the wall structure 93 defining the run 34 of channel 23.

responding parts.

The control device'l9" is constructed similarly to the control device I8 andis operated in the same manner. This construction is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Due to the similarity of construction the description of the grids and associated part therewith will not be repeated and the same reference numerals will be used to indicate cor- The operating mechanism for the control device I9 is situated in a recess I2I formed in a wall structure I22 which provides one of the walls of therun 4| of channel 23. Attached to this wall structure is a casting I23 which is formed With a flange I24. Screws I25 passing through the said flange and threaded into the wall structure I22 of the kettle hold the casting I23 in position over the recess I2I. The casting I23 has secured to it a plate I26 which depends into the recess I2I. The spindle 86 of control device I9 is mounted on a disc I21 which is secured to a spur gear I28. The gear I28 is ro-'- tatably mounted on a stud I29 which is attached to the lower end of the plate I26. Spur gear I28 meshes with another spur gear I 3! rotatably mounted on a stud I32 which is also secured to the plate I26. with another spur gear I33 which is fast on a shaft I34. Shaft I34 is journalled at one end in a bearing I35attached to the casting I23. This shaft extends across the run 4| of channel 23 and through the casting v95 of the control device I8 and into the case formed by the said casting and the cover II5. Shaft I34 is further journallel in a bearing I36 formed on the casting 95 as shown in Fig. 7. The end of the shaft I34,

disposed within the said case, has secured to it a spur gear I3I (Fig. 4). This spur gear meshes with an idler gear I 38 rotatably mounted on a stud I39 secured to casting 95. The idler gear I33 in turn meshes with the gear I09, which, when shaft H2 is rotated serves to rotate the gear I28 and operate the control device I9. Due to the use of the idler gear I30 the control device I9 operates in reverse manner with reference tocontrol device I8 to control the travel of the doughnuts in the run 4! in which the doughnuts 1 travel in a reverse direction as compared to the doughnuts in run 34. The castingl23'has attached to it a cover plate I4 Iby means of screws I42, which cover plate has a flange I43 extending downwardly along the exposed surface of the wall structure I22 and covering the gears I3I and-I 33. This flange is constructed in much the.

same manner as the flange III of cover H5 and operates in the same manner.

The control device I8 is continuously operated by the transmission mechanism I40. In order to procure suflicient cooking time for the dough nuts in advance of each of the said control devices when the machine is first started, it becomes necessary to prevent travel of the doughnuts until the desired number of doughnuts are in the machine. In conjunction with the controldevice I8 an obstructing member 29 I is em ployed jwhichis adapted to be moved in the path of the movement of the doughnuts and to obstruct travel of the same. This member is in the nature of a blade which is attached to a lever 292 disposed within the recess 94. Lever 292 has an arm 293 which is pivoted by means of a stud 294 to a depending lug 295 formed on the casting 95. The said lever has another arm 296 which passes'upwardly through a slot '29? in the cover II5. Thisarm has pivotally connected toit, by means "of a rivet 298, a link'299. Link 299 -ex't'erid's transversely of, the machine The spur gear I3I in turn meshes and is supported in a guide 39! attached to the ledge 21 of the kettle 18. A knob 392 on the said link serves to move the link and swing the obstructing member 29I when the link is reciprocated. The obstructing member 29I extends through a slot 393 in the flange II1 of cover H5. When the obstructing member 29I is in the position shown in Fig. 4 the doughnuts striking the same are arrested and the control device 18 fails to allow the doughnuts to pass. When the device is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the dough nuts are controlled by the control device in the customary manner.

In conjunction with the control device 19 an obstructing member 364 is employed which is similar to the obstructing member 29!. This member is formed on a lever 395 which is pivoted through a screw 366 to a lug 381 extending outwardly from the plate I26. A link 385 is connectedby means of a rivet 3! with an upwardly extending arm 3I3 forming part of the lever 395. Said arm passes through a slot 3I2 in the cover I4I. obstructing member 384 similarly passes through a slot in the flange I43 similar to the slot 393 but not shown in the drawings. Lever 305 is constructed with an arcuateslot 3I4 through which shaft I34 extends and which permits of swinging said lever to move the obstructing member 394 from one position to another. Link 368 is guided for sliding movement in a guide 399 secured to the ledge 21 of kettle I8 and is provided with a knob 3H by means of which the same may be moved.

The cutter 55, the ejector 66, and the two control devices 18 and 19 are all operated by an operating mechanism I49 contained within a chamber I61 formed within a case I44, disposed in the cut-away corner 24 of the kettle I8. This operating mechanism will now be described in detail.

The case I44 includes a lateral wall structure indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I45 which is open at the top and bottom. This wall structure includes two side walls I49 and I41 and two end walls I48 and I49. These walls are covered at the top by a cover I5I which is secured to said walls by means of counter-sunk screws I52 threaded into bosses I53 formed on said walls. In a similar manner a closure I54 is provided for the lowermost portion of the case I44, which closure is attached to the wall structure I45 by means of screws I55 which are similarly threaded into bosses I56 formed on the wall structure I45. The case 344 is provided with pads I51 formed on the closure I54, which pads rest upon the upper frame 11 and are secured thereto by means of screws I58 which pass through the uppermost flanges of frame members of frame I! and are threaded into said pads.

The closure I54 of case I44 has attached to the underside thereof an electric motor I59 having a vertical shaft Ifil. Motor I59 is constructed with an end bell I152 provided with a flange I63 adapted to engage a ring I64 cast on the under surface of the closure fl54. Screws I65 extending through the flange I63 are threaded into the ring I64 and hold the motor I59 attached to the closure I54. Motor I59 may be of any desirable construction and the details thereof have not been shown in the drawings. The shaft I SI of motor I59 passes through a seal I66 and into the chamber I61 formed within the case I44.

Issuing from the wall I41 of case I44 are two bearing supports I68 and I69. The bearing sup+ port I68 has attachedto ita bearing m for the lower end of a vertically'extending shaft I12. This shaft is journalled in its upper end in a ball bearing I13 which serves as an end thrust bearing for restraining longitudinal movement with the shaft I12. lower end thereof a spur gear I14 which meshes Shaft I12 has secured to the with a pinion I15 fast on the shaft I6I of motor I59. Shaft I12 also has formed on it a worm I16 which meshes wit-h a worm wheel I11 keyed 1 I18. Shaft' to a horizontally extending shaft I18 extends completely across the case and is journalled in bearings I8] and I82 formed on the end walls I48 and I49.

The ejector 66 is driven from the shaft I 12in the following manner: Shaft 61 of the said ejector extends through a tubular housing I83.

provided with a flange I84 at one end. This flange is secured to the wall I49 of case I44 by means of screws I35. The housing I83 is provided at its outer end-with a bearing I86 which journals one end of the shaft 61. The other end of this shaft extends into the chamber I61 of case I44 and is journalledin a bearing I81 issuing outwardly from the wall I41 of case I44; The shaft 61 has mounted on it a spiral gear I88 which meshes with another spiral gear I89 fast on the shaft I12. tioned that the shaft 61 travels at a suitable speed to alternately raise the toothed blades II These gears are so proporand 12 and procure ejection of the doughnuts."

boss 2I3 which is provided with bearings 2| 4 and i 220 journalling the shaft 2I2. This shaft has secured to the end of it a bevel gear 2I5which meshes with another bevel gear 2i6 fast on a shaft 2I1 extending horizontally across the case I44. The latter shaft is journalled inbearings 2I'l' and 2I8 carried by the side walls I48v and I49 of the case I44 and shown in Fig. 11.

Attached to the wall I48 of case I44, near the,

uppermost portion of the same, as best shown in Fig. 13, is a stud 2 I9. Mounted for oscillation on this stud is a lever 221 whichhas a depending I arm 222. Arm 222 is formed with a gear segment 223 which meshes with a' pinion 224 rotatably mounted on the shaft 2I1. The lever 22! is fur ther formed with an arm 225 which carries at the end of it a roller 226 adapted to engage the surface 221 of. a disc cam 228. Cam 228 is keyed to the shaft I18, as best shown in Fig. 10.

The lever 221 is urged to move in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 13, to cause the roller 226 to bearagainst the cam 228 by means of the following construction: This cons struction is best shown in Fig. 12. Issuing inwardly from the wall I41 of case I44 is a boss 23I which is bored at 232 toslidably receive a tube 233. Tube 233 has connected to the end-of it a socketed head 234 which has secured to it a forked arm 235. Arm 235 is pivoted by means of a pintle 236 to the arm 222 of. lever 221. the interior of the tube 233 is mounted a com- Within I pression coil spring 231 which encircles a rod 2 38. 7

Rod 238 is also encircled at, one end by means of a disc 239 held in place by a. cotter key 24I. This rod has slidably mounted on its other end a disc 242 which is conical in form and which is held in place on said rod through a cotter pin 244. A

- plug 245 is screwed into the boss 223 and engages the .disc 242 in a manner to compress the spring 231. This plug is provided with a socket 245 into which the end of the rod 238 projects when the spring is compressed. It will be readily comprehended that the spring 238 urges the roller 226 to follow the surface 221 of cam 228. In the event that the spring 231 should break, plug 245 may be removed from the exterior of the device and the spring assembly consisting of. the rod 238 and spring 231 and the two discs 239 and 242 may be removed from the tube 233, as a unit. A new unit may then be inserted and the plug 295 screwed into the boss to initially compress the spring an amount suificient to procure operation of the device. I

The construction for procuring operation of the shaft 2 I2 which operates the two control devices 18 and 19 of the invention is best shown in Fig. ll. The gear 229, which was previously referred to, has issuing outwardly from it a flange 241. This flange is constructed with a ratchet notch 248 in the face thereof. Adjacent to the flange 241, on shaft 2I1, is a head 249 which is keyed to the said shaft'and which is constructed with a groove 25I in the same extending in a radial direction. In this groove is disposed a pawl 252 which is pivoted on a pin 253 extending through the head 249. The pawl 252 is adapted to engage the notch 248- in flange 241, and when .the gear 224 is rotated in one direction, the head said shaft and engages a sliding plunger 251 in the bore 255 which bears against a finger 258 formed on the pawl 252, which finger extends through a slot 259 in the shaft 2I1 and into the bore 255. In this manner the pawl is held in engagement with the ratchet notch 248. By unloosening the plug 256, which is accessible through a removable cap 26I, on the exterior of the wall I48 of case I44, spring 254 may be replaced when the occasion requires it.

The two control devices 18 and 19 operate only in one direction. To prevent reverse movement of these devices the head 249 is held from rotation when the gear 224 travels in the reverse direction. This is accomplished as follows: Formed on the interior of the wall I46 of case I44 is. a

threaded boss 262. This boss has screwed into it a tubular guide 263 formed with a bore 264. A plunger 265 is slidable in another bore 266 forming a continuation of the bore 264 and of reduced diameter. This plunger is constructed with a head 261 disposed within the bore 264. A compression coil spring 298 in the bore 264 engages the head 261 and'urges the plunger 265 outwardly. The spring 268 reacts against a plug 269 screwed in the end of the tubular guide 263. The plunger 265 serves as a dog and is adapted to engage in a ratchet notch 21I formed in the outer periphery of the head 249. The two notches 2H and 248 are so arranged that rotation of. the gear 224 in opposite directions causes rotation of the shaft H2 in one direction only.

For rocking the shaft 6| which operates the cutter 55, the following construction is used. Shaft BI is connected by means of a coupling I9I with another shaft I92 extending across the walls I48 and I99 of case I4 3. This latter shaft is journalled in bearings I93 and I94 formed on the walls I48 and I49 of the case. The shaft I92 has keyed to it a bell crank I95 which has an upwardly extending arm I96 and a substantially horizontally extending arm I91. The arm I91 of bell crank I95 has rotatably mounted at the end thereof a roller I98 which isadapted to engage the periphery I99 of a disc cam 29I. Cam 29I is constructed with a hub 292 Fig. 10, which is keyed to the shaft H8. The surface I99 of cam 292 is formed with two indentations 294 and 295 diametrally opposed which, when the roller I98 drops into the same, permit the bell crank I95 to oscillate, whereby the cutter sleeve 58 is raised and lowered to procure the deposit of dough formations into the cooking liquid in the kettle I8. The roller I98 is urged into engagement with the surface I99 of cam 29I by means of a spring similar to that described in connection with the mechanism for operating the control device. This spring is contained within a tubular housing 296 slidable in a boss 291 issuing from the wall I41 of case I94. The said spring acts against a plunger 298 which is pivoted to the end of the arm I96 of bell'crank I95 by means of a pin 2H1 and urges the same to cause a clockwise movement of. shaft I92, as viewed inFig. 8.

It will be noted that the cam 29I, which operof which the control .devices are operated twice 1 for each revolution of the shaft I18. By means of the construction now to be described operation of the cutter and control devices may be procured through one only of the depressions of the two cams referred to. Operating in conjunction with the cam 29I is an auxiliary cam 214 which is attached to a hub 215 slidable on the shaft I18. This auxiliary cam is best shown in Fig. 8 and has a portion 219 of the same diameter as the major diameter of the cam 29L Cam 214 is, however, cut away as indicated at 216 at a locality directly opposite the depression 294 in cam 29I. The roller I98 is of a length equal to the combined thickness of both of the cams 29I and 214. Cam 214 may be slid up against the cam 26I and when juxtaposed with reference thereto the roller I98 engages both the said cams. In such position the portion 219 of cam 214 prevents the roller from dropping into the depression 295. It will thus be seen that only the depression 294 is available to operate the cutter and only one doughnut per revolution of shaft I18 is formed. When, however, the cam 214 is moved away from the cam 29I, as shown in Fig. 10, roller I98 only engages the cam 29I and then drops into both of the depressions 294 and 295 and causes the cutter 55 to out two doughnuts per revolution of shaft I18.

In conjunction with the cam 228 an auxiliary cam 211 is employed which is best shown in Fig. 13. This cam is also slidably mounted on the shaft I18. Cam 211 has a portion 218 of a diameter equal-to the major diameter of the cam 228, which portion is adapted to completely overlie the depression 213 in the cam 228. Cam 211 is cut away, as designated at 219, to expose the depression 272 of cam 228. The roller 22B, similar to the roller 558, is of sufficient length to engage both of the cams 228 and 211 when the cam 27'! is moved in close proximity to the cam 228. When the cam 21! is moved away from the cam 228, the roller 226 engages the cam 228 only. It will thus be seen that the control devices 18 and Z9 function once only for each revolution of the shaft H8 when the cam 21'! is in juxtaposition with reference to the cam 228 and that said control devices function twice per revolution of shaft iii? when the cam 27? is disposed in spaced relation to the cam 228.

The two cams 2'1"! and 2'14 are simultaneously moved longitudinally of the shaft I18 to cause the said cams to be brought in proximity with the two cams 228 and 20! by means of the following construction shown in Fig. 10. Extending through the gear I'll and through the cam ZUI is a rod 28!. This rod has a threaded end 282 which is screwed into the cam 2'11. A screw 283 passes through the cam 21 i and is threaded into the rod 28!. By means of this screw the rod 285 is also connected to the cam 214. It will thus be seen that the two cams move in unison. The rod 28!, in addition, serves as a key for preventing rotation of the said two cams. Extending downwardly from the cover :5! is a boss 284 which is drilled to form a bearing for a shaft 285 best shown in Fig. 8. Shaft 285 extends outwardly beyond the cover and has secured to it a finger piece 286 by means of whichthe said shaft may be rotated. Shaft 285 also extends below the boss 284 and has secured to its lower end an arm 281. This arm has attached to the end of it a pin 288 which engages within a groove 239 in the hub 215. When the shaft 285 is rotated, through engagement with the finger piece 266 pin 288 shifts the hub 215 along the shaft I18. This moves both cams 2'14 and 211, as previously described,

The operation of the invention is as follows: The channel 23 in kettle I8 is first filled with cooking liquid. This liquid is maintained at a suitable temperature for cooking by means of a heater disposed beneath said kettle and which has not been shown in the drawings. The motor 5 3 is then started which causes operation of the propeller 53. Circulation of the cooking liquid in the channel 23 now commences. The motor H59 is now energized and the shaft I18 of the transmission mechanism set in operation. This procures operation of the ejector 66 and the two control devices 18 and 19. In addition, the shaft ti is periodically oscillated. The clutch fit is, however, maintained open so that the cutter is normally inoperative. The container 56 is filled with dough and air pressure applied to the same. As soon as the clutch is closed the cutter 55 operates and dough extrusions are deposited in the flowing cooking liquid within the channel 23. The obstructing members 304 and 2M are moved into obstructing positions by means of the knobs 3M and 302. As the doughnuts travel along the the runs 32 and 33 of the channel 23 member 2! arrests the movement thereof and the said member is maintained in obstructing position until the required number of doughnuts have accumulated in advance of the same. Thereafter the said obstructing member 2a: is elevated and the doughnuts now travel through the control device 18 and are released, one at a time, to the turner 65. The doughnuts desirable to change the capacity of the machine the same may be readily accomplished by shifting the finger piece 286. This varies the positions of the two auxiliary cams 27M and 271 so that either the maximum number or one-half as many doughnuts may be cooked in a unit of time.

The advantages of my invention are manifest.

My improved doughnut machine is extremely positive in action and perfectly formed doughnuts may be made by the machine. With my improved control devices irregular shaped doughnuts will readily pass through the machine and clogging of the same is thus entirely prevented. By

means of the operating mechanism for the various parts of the machine most of the elements of the operating mechanism and other devices associated therewith are contained within a single case where the same may be run in oil, thus requiring a minimum amount of attention. The operating mechanism and motor are disposed exteriorly of the kettle so that the same are out of heat conducting relation therewith and may opcrate at a suitable temperature considerably lower than that of the kettle. The operating mechanism is readily accessible and may be removed as a unit whenever the occasion requires. With my invention the springs used in conjunctionwith the cams may in the event of breakage be removed from the case without dismantling the mechanism and without opening up the case.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of 1 a the flow of the cooking liquid, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid, a turner, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner, a drive shaft, a cam on said shaft, said cam having a plurality of irregularities, means controlled by said cam for operating said control means, said cam causing one operation of said control means for each irregularity, a second cam on said shaft, said'second cam having a plu-f rality of irregularities correspnding in numberto those of the first cam, means controlled by said second cam for operating said doughnut former, said second cam causing one operation of said doughnut former for each irregularity thereof, auxiliary cams on said shaft movable axially thereof to cover or uncover certain of the regularities of said first and second named cams to vary the number of operations of the control means and doughnut former, and means for jsie multaneously moving both of said auxiliary cams to procure a corresponding number of operations of each of said first and second named cams 2. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way, adoughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid in the way, a drive shaft, a cam on said shaft, said cam having a plurality of irregularities, means controlled by said cam for operating said doughnut former, said cam causing one operation of said doughnutformer for each irregularity, an auxiliary cam, means for guiding said auxiliary cam for movement from a position covering certain of said irregularities to a position uncovering the same, to vary the number of operations of, the doughnut former, and means for moving said cam from one position to the other. y

3. In a doughnut machine inwhich the doughnuts are progressed along a Way, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid in the way, a drive shaft, a cam on said shaft, said cam having a plurality of irregularities, a cam follower adapted to engage said cam and follow along the irregularities thereof, means controlled by said cam follower for operating said doughnut former, said follower causing one operation of said doughnut former for each irregularity of the cam, an auxiliary cam, means for guiding said auxiliary cam for movement from a position engageable by said follower to a position free therefrom, saidauxiliary cam when in its position to be engaged by the follower, restraining movement of said follower along certain of said irregularities of the cam to vary the number of operations of the dough- 1 position covering certain of said indentations to a position uncovering the same to vary the number of operations of the doughnut former, and means for moving said cam from one position to the other.

5. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a. way, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid in the way, a turner for inverting the doughnuts in the way, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner, a shaft, means for driving said shaft, a cam on said shaft, said cam having a plurality of irregularities, means controlled by said cam for operating said control means, said cam causing one operation of said control means for each irregularity, an auxiliary cam, means for guiding said auxiliary cam for movement from a position covering certain of said irregularities to a position uncovering the same to vary the number of operations of the control means, and means for moving said cam from one position to the other.

6. In a doughnut machine in'which the doughnuts are progressed along a way, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid in the way, a drive shaft, a cam on said shaft, said cam having a plurality of indentations therein, a follower adapted to engage the surface of said cam and to follow the indentations, means controlled by said follower for operating said doughnut former, said cam causing one operation of said doughnut former for each indentation, :an auxiliary camdisposed adjacent said first Pnamedcam, means for guiding said auxiliary cam: for movement axially of said shaft from aposition adjacent said first named cam in which said auxiliary cam is adapted to engage former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid in the way, a turner, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner, a shaft, means for driving said shaft, a cam on said shaft, said cam having a plurality of indentations, a follower adapted to engage the surface of said cam and to follow the indentations, means controlled by said follower for operating said control means, said cam causing one operation of said control means for each indentation, an auxiliary cam disposed adjacent said first named cam, means for guiding said auxiliary camfor movement axially of said shaft from a position adjacent said first named cam in which said auxiliary cam is adapted to engage said follower to a position spaced from said first named cam in which position the auxiliary cam is free from said follower, said auxiliary cam when in its first named position covering certain of said indentations and restraining the follower from following along said indentations, and means for moving said cam from one position to theother.

8. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of the flow of the cooking liquid, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid, a turner, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner, said control means including ,an engaging member movable periodically from one position in the way to another to release the doughnuts oneat atime to the turner, a shaft for operating said control means, a drive shaft, a cam on said drive shaft, a lever having a cam follower adapted to engage said cam, a gear segment operated by said lever, a gear driven by said gear segment, and a ratchet mechanism between said gear and first named shaft for driving said first named shaft in one direction.

9. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of the flow of the cooking liquid, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid, a turner, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner,-said control means including an engaging member movable periodically from one position in the way to another to release the doughnuts one at a time to the turner, a shaft for operating said control means, a drive shaft, a camon said drive shaft, a lever having a cam follower adapted to engage said cam, a gear segment operated by said lever, a gear driven by said gear segment and rotatable about the axis of said first named shaft, and a ratchet mechanism between said first named shaft and gear for driving said first named shaft in one direction.

10. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way. by means of the flow of the cooking liquid, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid, a turner, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner, said control means including an engaging member movable periodically from one position in the way to another to release the doughnuts one at a time to the turner, a shaft for operating said control means, a drive shaft, a cam on said drive shaft, a movable member having a cam follower for engagement with said cam, gear teeth on said movable member, a gear operated by said gear teeth, and a ratchet mechanism between said gear and first named shaft for driving said first named shaft in one direction.

11. In a doughnut machine in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of the flow of the cooking liquid, a doughnut former for depositing dough formations in the cooking liquid, a turner, control means for controlling the number of doughnuts passing through the turner, said control means including an engaging member movable periodically from one position in the way to another to release the doughnuts one at a time to the turner, a shaft for operating said control means, a drive shaft, a cam on said drive shaft, said cam having a plurality of indentations therein, a movable member having a cam follower for engagement with said indentations, gear teeth on said movable member, a gear driven by said gear teeth, a ratchet mechanism between said gear and first named shaft for driving said shaft in one direction, an auxiliary cam disposed adjacent said first named calm and movable axially of said drive shaft to a position covering certain of said indentations to a position uncovering the same, said auxiliary cam when in the first position engaging said follower and restraining movement of said follower along said indentation, said auxiliary cam when uncovering said indentation allowing the follower to follow along said indentation, and means for moving said auxiliary cam from one position to the other.

12. A control device for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of the flow of the cooking liquid, said control device including a revoluble memher having its axis disposed transversely of the way at an elevation below the surface of the cooking liquid, a spindle projecting laterally from said revoluble member 'eccentrically of the axis thereof and a pair of grids. having one end of each thereof pivoted to the spindle and the other ends extending downwardly to the bottom of the way and resting thereon, and means for periodically rotating said shaft through a complete revolution in one direction only.

13. A control device for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of the flow of the cooking liquid, said control device including a revoluble member having its axis disposed transversely of the way at an elevation below the surface of the cooking liquid, a spindle projecting laterally from said revoluble member eccentrically of the axis thereof and a pair of grids having one end of each thereof pivoted to the spindle and the other ends extending downwardly to the bottom of the way and resting thereon, one of said grids when the revoluble member is in one position obstructing the travel of doughnuts along the way, and

means for rotating said revoluble memberperiodically to cause said grids to pass beneath a doughnut and in advance of the preceding doughnut and back to normal position before the succeeding doughnut has reached the original position of the doughnut engaged by the control device.

14. A control device for doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way by means of the flow of the cooking liquid,

said control device including a revoluble member having its axis disposed transversely of the way at an elevation below the surface of the cooking liquid, a pair of grids, means having a transverse axis for pivoting said grids at corresponding ends thereof to said revoluble member, said grids extending downwardly into the cooking liquid and resting upon the bottom thereof, one

ALEXANDER S. T. LAGAARD. 

